# Serious actors, or non-actors, doing comedy later on…

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [April 8, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529 "2022-04-08T16:25:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529/61 "2022-04-10T21:16:19Z")

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> [@Tibby](#):
>
> Scott was pushed hard by Kubrick to over-act the role.

Not only that, but Kubrick apparently convinced Scott to over-act in what were promised to be “practice” takes, which the director then used in the actual cut of the film. As noted in [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove#George_C._Scott_as_General_Buck_Turgidson):

> [@](#):
>
> According to James Earl Jones, Kubrick tricked Scott into playing the role of Gen. Turgidson far more ridiculously than Scott was comfortable doing. Kubrick talked Scott into doing over-the-top “practice” takes, which Kubrick told Scott would never be used, as a way to warm up for the “real” takes. Kubrick used these takes in the final film, causing Scott to swear never to work with Kubrick again.

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**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529/62 "2022-04-10T21:33:30Z")

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Kubrick also kept this scene of Scott actually tripping/falling in the final cut. Stanley was one of the greats.

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lKMPeerDv-c/maxresdefault.jpg "Dr. Strangelove - George C. Scott trips and falls") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKMPeerDv-c)

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529/63 "2022-04-11T03:07:38Z")

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No actor was ever more dramatic than Meryl Streep. Then she did a part in _Defending Your Life_, where her character was, if not quite funny, at least warm and affectionate. Her next movie was _Death Becomes Her_, which while not good, was clearly a comedy. Throw in a few characters from _The Simpsons_ and _King of the Hill_, and she eventually learned to loosen up enough for _Mama Mia_, _It’s Complicated_, and others.

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**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529/64 "2022-04-11T05:05:42Z")

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Elizabeth Taylor’s acting range was quite impressive. From light comedy fluff (e.g. _Father of the Bride, Father’s Little Dividend_) to full-bore drama (e.g. _Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf_—in which she gave a disturbing yet spellbinding, dramatic-masterclass performance).

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